Did Derby change the ABC pedal starting position?

[William Johnson]

hello All,

It looks I am getting the Green Derby SD-10 E9 3+4 back. My friend is not using it, so he's passing it back this way. When I used it last, the position of the ABC pedals were not in the position that they are manufactured currently. I understood that Derby did build a few with the shifted floor pedals. Is this correct or did someone modify the Derby? I think the owner of Derby told me that once.

The reason I ask is that the current ABC position hinder my left knee action with the LK knees. Has anyone experienced this before?

Suggestions please.

If this works out, I may have my black BMI S-10 E9 3+4 up for sale soon. I was actively looking for a new steel, but with the arrival of the Derby, I can maybe put that off! I was looking at several manufacturers closely: Infinity, Williams, Rains & Mullen. You it not an easy task to settle on a steel if you can not see and play them before purchase. If you want, please send me a PM with comparisons between the Derby and the others listed above. I have played the Derby recently so I can use it as a comparison. Please use PM as not to speak badly of any manufacturer. I do agree that the Derby is a 'top-drawer' steel, and usually it comes down to taste and what you are use to. I always have had issues with setting a steel so my left foot & knee work well with the pedals and levers, as my left knee is stiff and usually swollen somewhat (bad wreck in '95). Oh, yea, I did locate some of the Derby 'narrow-type' floor pedals, and installed them.

Thanks,

William

[Steve Hitsman]

[William Johnson]

I understand the difference in Emmons and Day setup. What I am referring to is a difference in the starting position of the first floor pedal in some few of the earlier Derbys.

Thansk,

Billy

[Clete Ritta]

Sounds like you are talking about the position on the pedalbar. Are they too far to the left?

Clete

[William Johnson]

Yes, too far left.

William

[Clete Ritta]

Can you move the LKL any more to the left by adjustment, or maybe replace with an angled lever (like some vertical levers) that would afford a bit more room to hit pedal A without raising your E's by accident? Moving all the pedals to the right seems like a big rebuilding job.

Clete

[Dan Galysh]

William, I don't have my Derby to look at right now, but there should be a tiny set screw on the bracket above where the knee levers fold that can be adjusted so the lever tilts to the left or right, which might help you.

[Johan Jansen]

Derby never changed positions as far as I know.
regards, Johan

[Dick Sexton]

This is my working guitar, excuse the dust and grime, needs a vacation and serious cleaning. I'm 5'2", my Derby is lowered about 2". No problem reaching the pedals or levers, even the vertical. Although the vertical has been adjusted a bit.

[Mickey Adams]

william as you can see there is an empty position 1 on the peal bar. How you arrange them is entirely your preference. The rod lengths can be changes to suit any pull at any position. The easiest of course are the levers moving left. The right moving levers require a reversing linkage to "pull".
The pedals however require nothing more than the placement of a cross-shaft and connection. I prefer exactly the same configuration you do. Most guitars are setup to accommodate 9-10 pedals if needed, and pedal 1 is a little far "out there" for my taste as well. Id be happy to rework this guitar for you if you like..Please feel free to write me directly if I can answer any questions you may still have....Mickey

[Bob Moss]

I sold my Derby S/N 007 for just that reason, the pedals started to far left, Charlie changed to the same positions that Emmons guitars had in about the middle 1990s. I since purchased a Legrand ll and never looked back as it plays awsome and If it had that ole pushpull tone it would be a perfect world.
now if I could just carry my equipment it would be nice. LOL